The far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD) is preparing for a convention to elect leaders and is gaining support, especially in eastern Germany. It performed strongly in recent elections and hopes to win majorities in upcoming regional votes, aiming for significant political power in the east.
Key Facts
AfD is a far-right nationalist party in Germany.
It holds leadership elections every two years and is expected to re-elect co-leaders Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla.
In the last national election, AfD was the strongest opposition party and the leading party in eastern Germany.
Recent polls show AfD gaining support, potentially leading some regions.
AfD aims to win over 40% of the vote in the state election on September 6 in Saxony-Anhalt.
Another state election in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania is coming soon, where AfD also expects good results.
Mainstream German parties refuse to work with AfD, maintaining a political "firewall" against it.
Winning control of a state government would give AfD power over important areas like education and security.
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The United States celebrated its 250th birthday amid discussions about how its history is remembered and presented. Recent actions by President Donald Trump’s administration have removed plaques acknowledging enslaved people at a historical site in Philadelphia, sparking criticism and efforts by local activists to highlight this part of America’s story.
Key Facts
The US turned 250 years old on July 4, 2026.
The Declaration of Independence was adopted in Philadelphia in 1776.
George Washington lived in Philadelphia with nine enslaved people who worked in his residence.
Pennsylvania passed the Gradual Abolition Act, which set conditions to eventually end slavery.
Plaques at the President’s House acknowledging the enslaved people were removed in January 2026 by order of President Trump’s executive action.
Local activists have placed temporary signs to explain why the plaques were removed.
There is ongoing debate about how US history, especially the role of slavery, is told and remembered.
This removal of plaques has been seen by some as ignoring the full and difficult parts of American history.
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Iran is holding a six-day funeral ceremony for its supreme leader Ali Khamenei, who died in a US-Israeli attack in February. The event is planned to show national unity and resistance and will take place mainly in Tehran and Mashhad, with some parts of the ceremony also held in Shia cities in Iraq.
Key Facts
Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader for 36 years, was killed in a US-Israeli attack in February.
The funeral ceremony will last six days, starting Saturday in Tehran and ending Thursday with burial in Mashhad.
Millions of Iranians are expected to attend, making it the largest event in Iran since the 1979 revolution.
The funeral aims to send political and religious messages of resistance to the world.
Khamenei’s son, Mojtaba, was seriously injured in the same attack and is not expected to attend.
A ceremony for foreign leaders will precede the public funeral, with about 30 countries expected to send representatives; no European or US leaders were invited.
Iran’s officials have criticized European countries for their stance on the US-Israeli attacks.
The funeral will be held at Tehran’s Grand Mosalla mosque, a site used for major state religious events.
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Europe experienced record-breaking heatwaves this summer, with temperatures reaching as high as 44°C (111.2°F) in some areas. Scientists say this extreme heat is becoming normal due to global warming, as Europe is warming about twice as fast as the global average. These hot summers are expected to happen more often in the future and may lead to more health problems and environmental damage.
Key Facts
Temperatures reached 40°C (104°F) in Germany, the Czech Republic, and Poland, and 44°C (111.2°F) in a town in France.
Last summer’s heatwave caused around 2,300 climate-related deaths across 12 European countries.
Heatwaves in Europe are now tens to hundreds of times more likely than 50 years ago.
Europe has warmed roughly twice as fast as the rest of the world since the 1980s.
A "heat dome," or a high-pressure system, traps heat over an area and leads to extreme temperatures.
Effects of past pollution are causing current warming, and some damage, like shrinking Alpine glaciers, is permanent.
Scientists say future summers could be as hot as this or hotter unless greenhouse gas emissions are reduced.
Europe is likely to experience more severe warming compared to the global average in the coming decades.
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The bird flu outbreak in 2022 caused a large number of deaths among gannets, seabirds that live in big colonies in the UK. Two major colonies, one on Bass Rock in Scotland and another on Grassholm in Wales, lost many adult birds and will take about 15 to 20 years to recover fully.
Key Facts
The 2022 bird flu was identified as the H5N1 virus.
Gannets on Bass Rock and Grassholm saw adult deaths increase by four times during the outbreak.
Bass Rock’s gannet colony decreased in size by 26%, and Grassholm’s colony fell by 38%.
These colonies are among the largest in the world for northern gannets.
The bird flu virus was first found in gannets at Bass Rock in June 2022 and Grassholm in July 2022.
Adult breeding gannets are important because they help the population grow, so their loss affects long-term recovery.
The study suggests updating the gannet’s conservation status from "least concern" to reflect the current threat.
Bass Rock was recently bought by the conservation group RSPB Scotland, ending 320 years of private ownership.
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Victoria’s Premier Jacinta Allan has admitted criminals have operated on some large construction projects in the state, known as the Big Build. However, she rejected calls to launch a royal commission, saying police investigations and cultural changes are better ways to address the problem.
Key Facts
Criminal activity, including violence and intimidation, occurred on some Victorian Big Build construction sites.
Premier Allan said this behavior was shocking and unacceptable but does not reflect most union workers.
Allan apologized for the criminal behavior happening on government-funded projects.
She rejected calls for a royal commission, citing a costly 2010s royal commission into unions that led to few convictions and little culture change.
Police have been given stronger powers and have laid over 90 charges related to criminal conduct on these projects.
The Labor Hire Authority canceled licenses for 164 firms due to misconduct.
The CFMEU union was put into administration and removed from the Victorian Labor Party.
Opposition leader Jess Wilson called for a royal commission to investigate alleged corruption and corruption in the Big Build projects.
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The demand for affordable horse boarding, called retirement livery, has grown a lot because many horse owners cannot afford rising costs. Padwick Farm in Staffordshire offers livery at less than half the usual price to help owners keep their horses instead of euthanizing them.
Key Facts
Livery means paying to board and care for horses in stables.
Costs for typical livery average about £800 a month, but Padwick Farm charges less than half of that.
There has been a 60% increase in livery bookings at Padwick Farm over the past five years.
Rising costs of hay, grass seed, vet visits, and farrier services make horse care difficult for many owners.
More than 80% of UK horse owners worry about the costs of keeping their horses.
Around 5% of owners have considered euthanizing their horses due to financial problems.
Padwick Farm aims to give horses a relaxed life without riding pressure and support owners with lower fees.
The British Horse Society says owners spend about £5,350 a year on direct horse care costs.
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Kate Forbes, a former Scottish National Party (SNP) minister, said she was likely to win the SNP leadership in 2023 until she shared her personal views on gay marriage, which were based on her Christian faith. Despite losing to Humza Yousaf, she said she gained public respect for standing by her beliefs and faced criticism within her party for speaking at a conference with right-wing figures.
Key Facts
Kate Forbes was considered a strong candidate ("slam dunk") for SNP leadership in 2023.
She lost the leadership contest to Humza Yousaf.
Forbes revealed she would have voted against same-sex marriage but would not try to repeal the law.
She is a member of the Free Church of Scotland and expressed conservative views on issues like families and abortion.
Forbes said she was advised to hide her views but chose to be honest, which earned her public support.
Some SNP members disagreed with her speaking at a conference alongside right-wing politicians like Nigel Farage and Boris Johnson.
The conference discussion noted she faced unfair treatment because of her Christian beliefs.
Forbes said she received thousands of messages supporting her right to express her conscience, even when people disagreed with her views.
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In southern India, robotic elephants are being used in Hindu temples to replace live elephants in rituals and festivals. Animal welfare groups support this change, while some traditionalists oppose it because elephants are considered sacred and an important part of the ceremonies.
Key Facts
Robotic elephants are life-size models made of fiberglass, iron, and rubber.
These robots can move parts like ears, tails, heads, and trunks, and can even squirt water.
The robotic elephants cost about $6,000 each and weigh much less than real elephants.
Around 40 robotic elephants have been donated to temples by animal welfare groups like PETA.
The real elephants are considered sacred in Hinduism and have a major role in temple festivals.
Traditional festivals in Kerala, such as the Thrissur Pooram, feature about 100 live elephants dressed in decoration.
The creator of the robotic elephants, Prasanth Prakashan, says the robots do not yet walk but he is working on it.
The use of robotic elephants seeks to prevent animal abuse and dangers posed by live elephants during festivals.
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A church in St. Paul, Minnesota, called the Church of Saint Agnes, continues to offer traditional Latin Mass while being loyal to Pope Leo XIV and the Vatican. This comes as Pope Leo XIV recently condemned a traditionalist group, the Society of St. Pius X, for breaking away from the Catholic Church by rejecting modern reforms and consecrating bishops without approval.
Key Facts
The Church of Saint Agnes holds both Latin and English Masses in a diverse neighborhood in St. Paul, Minnesota.
The church supports maintaining Catholic traditions while staying in full communion with Pope Leo XIV.
Since the Second Vatican Council over 60 years ago, the Catholic Church has modernized its worship practices, but some groups prefer the old Latin Rite.
The Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) is a group that rejects these reforms and only celebrates the old Latin Mass.
Pope Leo XIV excommunicated SSPX bishops and priests after they appointed new bishops without Vatican approval.
The Church of Saint Agnes is not affiliated with SSPX and has official permission to celebrate Mass in Latin.
Father John Ubel, the pastor at Saint Agnes, preaches about balancing tradition with loyalty to the Vatican.
The recent schism highlights divisions within the Catholic Church between modern reformers and traditionalists.
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Two strong earthquakes hit La Guaira, Venezuela, on June 24, 2026, killing at least 2,295 people. Rescue and forensic teams are working hard to find, identify, and store the bodies, while many families struggle to claim their loved ones.
Key Facts
The earthquakes measured 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude and struck back-to-back.
La Guaira, on Venezuela’s northern coast, was the hardest-hit area.
Over 2,295 people have died, and thousands remain missing.
Emergency teams face challenges collecting and identifying bodies.
Families often identify bodies by tattoos, scars, or clothes due to changes after death.
Funeral costs are high, and some families cannot afford them.
The local government is helping by giving free burial spaces to some families.
Forensic workers like Joel Mirabal have been working nonstop for days.
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President Donald Trump criticized the United States' relationship with NATO as unfair and one-sided ahead of a NATO summit in Ankara. He said European countries have not supported the US enough, especially regarding the war in Iran, and wants Europe to take more responsibility for its own defense.
Key Facts
President Trump called it "ridiculous" for the US to keep supporting NATO without fair help from other members.
He posted on Truth Social that NATO countries “were not there for us” and that the relationship is not fair to the US.
Several European countries have limited the use of their military bases by the US because of the war in Iran.
Trump wants Europe to lead its own defense, and the US has begun reducing some military commitments in Europe.
NATO members agreed last year to increase defense spending to 5% of their GDP by 2035 under US pressure.
US Secretary of State said Trump is unhappy with NATO allies for not joining more actively in operations against Iran.
Senator Marco Rubio said the tensions will be discussed at the NATO summit in Ankara on July 7-8.
NATO was formed in 1949 and is seen as a US-led alliance that helped maintain security in Europe during the Cold War and after.
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Olivia Prince started selling clothes from her grandmother’s house during the Covid pandemic, and her business, Murci, has grown to a company making £10 million a year. The brand gained attention after being featured on the TV show Love Island and now has 35 employees and a distribution center in the US.
Key Facts
Olivia Prince founded the womenswear brand Murci while working as a receptionist during the Covid pandemic.
She began by buying and reselling clothes online from her grandmother’s house in Manchester.
Murci became well known after Love Island contestant Millie Court wore its clothes in 2021.
The business grew quickly, selling over 1,000 items of some designs in a single day.
Murci now employs 35 people and has moved to a larger headquarters in Manchester.
Olivia’s family helped from the start, with her mother and grandmother assisting with packaging and labeling.
Olivia’s brother set up a US distribution center to handle expanding sales in America.
The company was ranked among the 20 fastest-growing businesses in the UK by The Times.
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Interim President Delcy Rodriguez of Venezuela reported that 80% of the buildings that collapsed during recent earthquakes were privately built. She also confirmed that over 2,500 people have died and rescue efforts are ongoing.
Key Facts
Two earthquakes recently struck Venezuela.
About 80% of collapsed buildings were built by private developers.
More than 2,500 people have died because of the earthquakes.
Search and rescue teams are still working to find survivors.
The government is responding to public concerns about its disaster handling.
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A hosepipe ban will start on 10 July for about one million people in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight to save water. The ban follows very low river levels and dry weather, and may last until autumn unless there is heavy rain.
Key Facts
The hosepipe ban affects customers of Southern Water in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
It begins on 10 July but people are encouraged to stop using hosepipes immediately.
The River Test, the main water source, is at critically low levels due to dry weather and a heatwave.
This is the second year in a row the ban has been introduced by Southern Water.
Hosepipes use about 1,000 litres of water per hour, roughly one person's weekly water use.
Some customers with special health or mobility needs are exempt from the ban.
Southern Water plans a new reservoir by 2040 to reduce pressure on rivers.
The reduction in water leaks this year equals 27 million litres a day saved.
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A member of the European Parliament, Stelios Kouloglou, was repeatedly targeted with spyware made by NSO Group while investigating the misuse of this software in Europe. Researchers from Citizen Lab found signs that the attacks were related to past hacking campaigns against journalists but could not identify which government was responsible.
Key Facts
Stelios Kouloglou, a Greek MEP and journalist, was targeted by Pegasus spyware during his work on a European parliamentary committee investigating spyware abuses.
The spyware used was made by NSO Group, an Israeli company that sells it to governments for security purposes.
Kouloglou’s phone was first infected in October 2022 during an intense period of committee activity, and again in March 2023 as the committee was finalizing its report.
The committee investigating Pegasus abuses is called Pega and was created in March 2022 after the Pegasus Project exposed government spying on journalists and activists.
Citizen Lab could not identify which government used the spyware against Kouloglou but noted similarities to previous attacks on Russian and Belarusian journalists living in Europe.
Kouloglou was hacked while hospitalized and in contact with another journalist who was also targeted by spyware in Greece.
This is the first time a member of the Pega committee has been confirmed as a spyware target.
Experts warn that other European politicians may be unknowingly hacked with spyware.
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The historic Furka steam railway in the Swiss Alps is celebrating its 100th anniversary. Volunteers restored this mountain railway after it closed in the 1980s, and it now runs as a tourist attraction through scenic Alpine landscapes during the summer.
Key Facts
The Furka Pass is one of Switzerland’s highest Alpine passes at 2,431 meters (7,976 feet).
The steam railway first operated a continuous journey over the pass on July 3, 1926.
It provided an important rail link between the regions of Uri and Valais in central Switzerland.
In the early 1980s, the route was closed after a tunnel diverted rail traffic away from the mountain pass.
Hundreds of volunteers restored the line and steam trains, reopening it as a heritage railway starting in 1992.
The current 18-kilometer (11-mile) track runs between Realp and Oberwald stations and operates in summer for tourists.
Steam trains use vintage carriages, and volunteers with special skills drive the locomotives.
Tourists enjoy views of rivers, Alpine meadows, pastures, and snow patches on the journey.
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Asian stock markets rose after the Dow Jones in the U.S. hit a new record, with some artificial intelligence (AI) related stocks recovering while others continued to lose value. U.S. job growth slowed but remained positive, which might ease inflation and reduce the need for higher interest rates this year.
Key Facts
The Dow Jones Industrial Average reached a new high of 52,900.07.
South Korea’s Kospi index recovered 2.8% after a big drop the day before.
Samsung Electronics rose 7%, and SK Hynix went up 4.9%.
The Tokyo Nikkei 225 climbed 0.9%, while Tokyo Electron fell 2.5% and Kioxia jumped 6.6%.
U.S. employers added 57,000 jobs in the last month, fewer than expected but still positive.
Lower job growth might help slow inflation, possibly limiting interest rate rises by the Federal Reserve.
Some chipmakers like Micron Technology and Nvidia saw their stock prices fall sharply.
Bitcoin and crypto-related stocks, such as Robinhood and Coinbase, increased after Bitcoin’s price rose about 2%.
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A California farmer named Cesar Mora is giving away white nectarines for free after being sued by a fruit company that claims it has exclusive rights to sell this type of nectarine. The lawsuit is about whether Mora broke a contract by selling the fruit to others, with a trial scheduled soon.
Key Facts
Cesar Mora, a farmer in Reedley, California, is giving away free white nectarines to avoid wasting them.
Mora has given away more than 100,000 pounds of nectarines since the giveaway started.
Giumarra Brothers Fruit Co. sued Mora, claiming exclusive rights over the white nectarine variety called "Monalise."
Giumarra says it owns sublicensing rights for the Monalise nectarines, which are sweeter and less tart.
Mora faces accusations of breaking a contract by selling nectarines outside the company’s approved packers.
Mora has accused Giumarra of unfair and dishonest business tactics.
The dispute will be settled in court, with a trial set for later in July 2026.
The case reflects wider conflicts between individual farmers and companies holding exclusive rights to certain plant varieties.
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Iran has started funeral events for former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The coffin will travel across the country before being buried in his hometown of Mashhad on July 9.
Key Facts
Iran is holding a seven-day funeral ceremony for Ali Khamenei.
The funeral events will begin in Tehran.
The coffin will move through various parts of Iran during the ceremonies.
Ali Khamenei was a Supreme Leader of Iran.
The final burial will take place in Mashhad, Khamenei’s hometown.
The burial is scheduled for July 9.
This marks a significant event in Iran’s political and religious life.
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